Types of Prayer 2

Types of Prayer Part 2 We began to study the various types of prayer in part 1 of this series. In part 2 we will look at scriptural examples of each to give us greater insights in how we too can approach the throne of God. Having this understanding can empower us to come before the Father’s throne boldly knowing the men and women of old approached Him in this manner and were heard. I believe our greatest examples our found in scripture and cannot be disputed by any serious student of the Bible. The scripture is the surer word that can keep us from floundering or vacillating in our faith or worse yet, getting into error. One of the types of prayer we touched on was a simple petition. A petition is a request made in prayer and is often for oneself. Here are examples. And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested. 1Chronicles 4:10 Here we see a simple petition offered by Jabez brought a powerful response from heaven. God granted Jabez what he requested. How amazing. God did not answer him because he prayed a thousand times, fasted, gave a special offering, tried to manipulate God in anyway. He humbly and simply made an honest request and God blessed him by answering his petition. Our next example is found in the book of Exodus. And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Exodus 33:18-19 What a simple prayer, yet what wonderful response from the Lord of glory. How many times do we miss out on glorious and enlightening encounters with the Father and Lord Jesus Christ because we do not ask? (James 4:2b) It is the will of God for us to have our prayers answered, as we pray in line with His Word. (John 15:7-8) The last example I am sharing comes from the gospels. It is one of the shortest prayers in the Bible but with life changing results. It is the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the Temple. Also He [Jesus] spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14 This story illustrates how God looks at our prayers, by first looking at our hearts, our attitude, and posture before His Presence. He did not esteem the man who had the most religious and eloquent sounding prayer. He esteemed the man who came to Him with a humble and contrite spirit. Our position should not be to impress God but to seek His face, mercy, grace and help in our time of need. Likewise, our prayers do not have to be long to be effective. In fact, sometime our long prayers are filled with unnecessary verbiage, because our Father knows what we have need of before we ask. (Matthew 6:8) Jesus addressed this issue when He rebuked the religious leaders. "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." Luke 20:46 In our next post we will cover the prayer of supplication with examples from scripture. Nothing can be more positive in building our faith than a revelation from God’s word. When the scriptures become alive in our hearts through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, faith will arise and cause us to come boldly to the throne of grace in believing prayer, which will bring about wonderful results. Until part three in this series, may God our Heavenly Father richly bless and keep you! James Brown CST 12/15/2022